WTF, Kings might pass on Rubio at 4

It’s looking more and more clear that the Kings are not nearly as enamored with Ricky Rubio as they once were, for a number of reasons. The official party line is that Sacramento is concerned that Rubio will struggle to assert his leadership ability on the group of players they currently have in place, due to the fact that he’s only 18 years old and not a native English speaker. One of the biggest issues Sacramento had last year was with the culture of their team lockerroom. On top of that, the Kings are worried that will Rubio will have a huge target on his chest coming into the NBA, and that other players will “try to go at him every single night.”

Something important to keep in mind is that long-time Kings General Manager Geoff Petrie has just one year left on his contract, and that ownership is putting a great deal of pressure on him to ensure that they don’t go through as painful a season as they just did in 08-09, winning just 17 games. With that in mind, they may opt to just put a Band-Aid on the problem and draft a more ready player, such as Tyreke Evans or Jonny Flynn—who is very attractive due to his outgoing personality and terrific leadership skills-- and hope that things magically get better next season.

This is a situation that seemed almost unfathomable a few months ago, as the Kings were supposedly so enamored with Rubio’s talent that they were strongly considering drafting him with the #1 pick before falling to the #4 slot in the lottery. Considering what we know about all these prospects, it’s tough not to think that Sacramento would be making a colossal mistake letting a playmaker of Rubio’s caliber get by them, as his upside is substantially higher than that of Evans or Flynn.

Jonny Flynn happened to work out in Sacramento this weekend, alongside other Kings favorite Tyreke Evans, as well as Stephen Curry, Nick Calathes. It’s well known at this point that Flynn is not getting past Milwaukee’s pick at #10 at worst, but his chances of going 4th seem to be improving by the day. It’s too early to rule out Evans at Sacramento’s pick either, even though Rubio is still very much in the picture as well.

Rubio is reportedly returning to Sacramento tomorrow for a workout, which should ease one of the concerns the team has about being unable to watch him last week.
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Smart. I think they should take Evans at 4. He could work on and off the ball. Rubio is good but he has a couple of issues (buyout clause, suing his team, his rights are on own by like the Spanish presidents) I mean he seems like a guy who when not happy, will show you he is not happy.

Ricky Rubio is clearly the most talented player of this draft, Griffin is taller, more athletic and will perform better but Rubio should go in #2, if one team pass on him, they will regret it for a long time. It's not as obvious as the 84' draft but... I'm very high on Rubio, this guy can really make his teammates better, he feels the game like only few.

I agree with ZK. Sacto wants Rubio in the worst way. He is really gonna sell tickets. If they don't get him, take Evans or Harden(if he's availabe). I know they need a pure point gaurd, but take best available. Both those guys are studs.

I've been saying for over a week that there is no way the Kings trade up to get Rubio, especially if they had to give up a young player to do so - believe me now?

I still think that if he's there at 4 they take him, but they are not going to be bullied into making a bad trade & I think that is the underlying source of this rumor. Also, if they really are looking at passing on Rubio, a trade down would make the most sense by far as there are 2-3 guys that they like & who would be a good fit, and at least one of them would likely be there if they moved down to pick 6 or 8. Plus I just can't see them asking for a bunch to do so, a little cash and/or a 2nd rounder or two would probably do the trick.

The former Italian league coach and Milan-based broadcaster also lashed out at fellow draft entrant Brandon Jennings, responding to the barb by Jennings that Rubio was nothing more than a You Tube fad.

"Ricky Rubio is not overhyped," said Peterson, who broadcast several of Jennings' games last season for Lottomatica Virtus Roma.

"Jennings is overhyped. He has it all backwards. He is all about trying to dominate one-on-one, all concerned with individual talent. I find it hilarious."

Peterson did admit that Jennings' had the physical package to succeed in the NBA, with lightning-quick pace and upside, but thought that the Roma youngster was still not NBA-ready.

Rubio, however, is primed to take over the NBA by storm.

"One of the things that happens in the NBA, everybody has a theory on what a guy can't do. That's all you hear. Sacramento would be very lucky to get Ricky Rubio. It would be a good place for (Rubio), the capital city of California, not too big."

"He is just a terrific player, though he needs to improve his three-point shooting. He gets into the lane, draws fouls, has the whole package. People would love him there. He's a winner."

"I would throw myself in front of a bus for Ricky Rubio. But I would have a hard time having Brandon Jennings on my team. I would send him home."

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are rumoured to be interested in trading up in the upcoming NBA draft to snag Spanish point guard prodigy.